Summer is in full swing, and cool pools are calling. Over the years, Giffin & Crane has built and remodeled dozens of family homes that take advantage of the Southern California views and semiarid temps that tend to pull people outside. Plus, life just gets better when there’s a swimming pool nearby. Here’s a handful of some of our favorites.
Mediterranean Estate: Covering 13,000 square feet on two-and-a-half acres, this hilltop mansion by architect Don Nulty blends the state-of-the-art amenities of modern homebuilding with a timeless design rooted in early 20th-century estate architecture. Mediterranean lines with lots of arched window glass welcome long views from the front-yard pool to the Santa Barbara Channel. Photograph by Jim Bartsch.
Tuscan Farmhouse: Covering 5,500 square feet with four bedrooms and four baths — and that pool — this French-Italian farmhouse features imported limestone fireplace surrounds, hand-hewn oak beams from the 19th century, and sprinklers and tempered window glass to meet strict building codes for mountainous areas prone to wildfire. Architecture by Chris Dentzel. Photo by Jim Bartsch.
